Your dedication and support of the Community Futures program have made a significant impact in promoting entrepreneurship, small business development, and economic opportunities across Eastern Ontario.

Highlights from Community Futures Week:

1. Diverse Events: From insightful webinars and live workshops to engaging in-person events, your commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing has been exceptional.

2. Notable Speakers: A special thank you to The Honourable Filomena Tassi , Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... , The Honourable Nina Tangri MPP, Associate Minister of Small Business, and Former Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada, Maryam Monsef for their inspiring messages of support for the Community Futures Program.

3. Innovative Discussions: The variety of topics explored, ranging from leveraging Canva Magic with Generative AI to navigating the transition to the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), reflects the dynamic nature of our community discussions.

4. Success Stories: We celebrate the success stories of businesses like Gyroscopic Technologies, Horizon's Aerospace, Meyers Creek Brewery, and the Wellness Hub. These stories exemplify the transformative impact of the Community Futures Program on local businesses and communities.

5. Innovative Showcases: Community Futures Week reached new heights with a captivating site visit to CFDC and SOFII Client FireRein Inc , a cutting-edge cleantech company based in rural Ontario. Founded by firefighters, FireRein Inc is on a mission to eliminate the use of harmful substances in firefighting foams, exemplified by their certified 100% bio-based product, Eco-Gel™.

Impact in eastern Ontario - Results from 2022-23 Fiscal Year:

• 1317 Jobs Maintained

• 679 Jobs Created

• 1379 Jobs Assisted

• 289 New Loans Issued

• $32.5 Million Value of New Loans for SMEs

These figures represent the significant impact of the Community Futures Eastern Ontario Regional Program for the 2022-23 fiscal year, showcasing our commitment to empowering and supporting entrepreneurs across the region.

Our Funder: We express our gratitude to the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... (FedDev Ontario), for their continued partnership and support. Together, we are building a resilient and thriving future for rural Canadians.

Thank you for making Community Futures Week 2024 a memorable and impactful event. Let's continue working together to create a vibrant and prosperous future.